ever, the force was
quadrupled and reorganised; the field and fortress departments were
differentiated, larger barracks built, and steps taken generally to
ensure the greatest possible efficiency and readiness for instant
service, the avowed object of the Government being to make the Corps
"the nucleus of the military forces of the Republic."[69] The only
qualifications necessary for the 300 additional men required by the
scheme were citizenship, either by birth or naturalisation, age not to
be less than 16, and the possession of a certificate of good conduct
from the Field Cornet. Service was for three years, with the option of
prolongation to six years, after which followed a period of service in
the reserve until the age of 35 was reached.[70]

[Footnote 69: Law of Reorganisation, 1896.]

[Footnote 70: Pay of Officers of the State Artillery:--

Commandant L700 per annum.
Major 600 "
Captain 500 "
First Lieutenant 350 "
Second Lieutenant 275 "

All ranks received a horse from the Government, a special
board supervising the purchase and issue of remounts. Rations
and uniforms were also free issues, and on a most generous
scale to officers and men alike.

The pay of non-commissioned officers and men was as
follows:--

Warrant Officers L180 and L150 per annum.
Farriers and Sergeants 6s. 6d. a day.
Corporals 5s. 6d. "
Gunners 5s. 0d. "]

[Sidenote: Military courts.]

For the maintenance of discipline the Corps had three Military Courts
of its own, whose powers extended from detention to death. They
differed in no way from similar tribunals in the British army save in
one respect, that convicted prisoners had a right of appeal from a
lower Court to that above it. Drill was on the German model, but the
language was Dutch. The Boer gunners were ready pupils, having much
the same natural aptitude for the handling of ordnance as is
observable in British recruits. Only 20 rounds per gun were allowed
for the yearly target practice.

[Sidenote: Artillery divisions.]

The State Artillery was divided into the following principal
departments:--[71]

(a) Field Artillery.
(b) Fortress Artillery.
(c) Field Telegraph.